Electric switch.



H J. MOREY & F. A. BROGDEN.

ELECTRIC SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED APR.2I, I913.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

HAW?! JJIVIOREY AND FAY A.-BROGDE1\T, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, iltltti.

Application filed April 21, 1913. Serial No. 762,640. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HARRY J. MOREY and FAY A. BRooDEN, citizens of the United States residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to an electric switch which may be used in lamp sockets. However, the use of features of the switch is not limited to the particular application herein shown.

The objects of the invention are to generally improve the construction of the electric switch shown and described in Patent No. 1,037,964., granted to as September 10, 1912.

Some of the specific improvements reside in the construction and mounting of the circuit closer and in the novel arrangement of the latter and its snapping means on the key spindle and withrelation to the insulatin walls so that the circuit closer will more effectively perform its function and be adapted to break comparatively heavy currents without injurious arcing.

Another improvement comprises the change of the position of the snapping spring so that it can be set almost wholly in the bottom half of the casing and whereby it ismore easily held in place and the parts more readily assembled.

()ther novel features will be apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the switch assembled, showing the same applied to an ordinary key socket, the shell and fiber lining of the latter being omitted. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view along the line 22 of Fig. 1, the circuit being shown closed. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the bottom block forming part of the casing in closing the switch mechanism, the parts shown in Fig. 5 being set in place therein and'the switch plate disposed as in open circuit position. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the top block comprising part of the casing for the switching mechanism. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the parts which are assembled on the key spindle. Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the line (F 6 of Fig. 2 showing the relation of the circuit closer and switch contacts when the switch is in open position.

The. insulating body which incloses the switching mechanism is located within the casing formed by the usual brass cap and shell of the ordinary lamp socket and comprises substantially similar blocks 18 and 19 of suitable insulating material. In the particular construction shown the blocks 18 and 19 are molded of porcelain and each has a recess therein which when the blocks are secured together by the through screws connecting the parts forms a cavity, which is substantially 'l' shape in longitudinal cross section. At one end. the cavity cylindrical in shape when the two recesses 21 and 22 in the top and bottom sections respectively are set to register. Recesses 23 and 24 in the opposite sides of the section 19 afford bearings for the key spindle 25.

One lamp contact comprises the usual threaded shell 26 which receives the threaded base of a lamp and is secured to the switch inclosing casing formed by the members 18 and 19 by means of through screws, not shown, the heads of which ongage against inwardly projecting flanges on the opposite sides of the lower edge of the shell 26. The screws are threaded at their outer ends to engage nuts in recesses in the top of the top section 18, which recesses are filled with insulating material when the parts are assembled. The holes 28 and 29 in the sections 18 and 19 through which the through screws extend are formed in'the cos operating sections and do not communicate with any other cavity inclosing the switching mechanism.

Adjacent one edgeof a flange thereon, the shell 26 is provided with an upwardly extending lip 30 which projects through an opening,.3'l communicating with the recess the lamp contacts or shell 26.

forming the lower half of the cavity for the switching. mechanism. The lip 30 extends a short distance into the cavity and constitutes one of the switch contacts and consequently is connected directly to one of The other lamp contact comprises a bent member 32, which is secured in a recess formed by the ribs 33, 33 and is electrically connected to the wire terminal 34 by means of the screw 35, which extends through the center'of the lower section 19 and at its threaded end engages the plate 36 integral with the wire terminal 34. The terminal screw 37 is adapted to clamp the current supply wire 38 to the terminal 34.

The other current supply main 39 is clamped to the line terminal 40 by means of the screw 41. The line terminal 40 is integral with the plate 42 which is secured to the block 18 at its inner end by means cally disposed se of the screw 43. The screw 43 also passes through the end of a bent terminal plate 44 and its engagement with the plate 42 clamps the said terminal plate 44 in position (see Fig. 2). The terminal plate 44 is bent to conform to the bottom of the recess 21 in the top block 18 and one of the sides thereof posite side of the spindle 25 and constitutes the other switch contact 45. a

The circuit closer which bridges the contacts 30 and 45 is shown in Fig. and comprises a plate stamped from a single piece of suitable resilient conducting material and has an annular inner part 46 and diametriintegral therewitli and constituting the contacting faces of the circuit closer. The segmental parts 47, 47 have each formed integraltherewith the ears 48, 48 on the opposite radial edges thereof, which ears are bent at a slight inclination to the plane of the plate, being so formed to spring into engagement with the opposite edges of the recess 49, 49 in the insulating disk 50. The circuit closer shown in Fig. 5 fits fiat against the face of the insulating disk 50, the latter supporting the same and when actuated rotating the circuit closer to open and close the circuit between the contacts 45 and 30. The insulating disk 50 is provided with an opening therethrough, the said opening having segmental parts 51, 51 and curved edges 52, 52, the latter being adapted to support the disk on the spindle 25. The bore of the part of the disk having the curved edges 52 is just sufficient to take the spindle 25, whereas the bore of the opening 46 in the circuit closer is considerably larger so that there will be no contact between the spindle 25 and the circuit closer, whereby the circuiteloser is conveniently and suitably insulated from the operating elements.

The cavity in which the switching mecha- 'mental parts 47, 47 formed nism is mounted is provided at one end with faces 53 and 54, inclined outwardly from near thecenter of the block and forming a cavity narrow at one part tohold the end of the U-shaped snapping spring 55, the substantially parallel members of which are bent inwardly to fit the narrow part of the cavity and to provide a better spring action. The free ends of the spring engage the" in= clined parts of the snap cam 56 and tend to force the same along the spindle 25 which latter passes through a hole in the part connecting the legs or curved parts of the spring. The cam 56 is formed so as to produce an outward movement of the ends of and a tension in the spring when the spindle is rotated by the key 57 which is of suitable insulating material. The part of the cavity in the bottom block 19 which receives the snapping spring 55 is deeper than the corresponding part of the cavity in the top half 18, both together forming a section of the cavity which is of a depth substantially the width of the spring. The spring is disposed so that it is horizontal and the plane of the U is parallel to the faces of the blocks 18 and 19. Furthermore, the cavity in the half 19 bein deep and the bearing recesses. for the spin 1e 25 being entirely within the lower half, the arts shown in Fig. 5 can be readily assem led in the lower block and will be retained therein, even without the cooperation of the top block, as the curved legs of the spring 55 fr1ctionally engage the side walls of the narrow part of the cavity and 160 hold said spring, the spindle and parts associated therewith in the cavity.

The spindle 25 has the spaced ears 58 and 59 formed thereon, the ears 58 being so disposed as to limit the inward movement of 105 the spring 55 and the end of the cavity limiting the movement of said spring in the opposite direction along the spindle, whereas its rotating is prevented by engagement of the edges with the sides of the cavity. The ears 59 engage in a recess 60 in the snap cam 56 to rotate the latter. On its opposite sides the snap cam is provided with suitable projections 61, 61 which engage in the oppositely disposed segmental recesses in the insulating disk 50 but are not long enough to engage the part 46. When the snap cam is rotated there is a slight lost motion on account of the length of the recesses 51, 51 so that when the circuit closer attached to the insulating disk is rotated it will remain in that position during the first part of the movement of the spindle and cam, and then have a snap action and sudden breaking or making of the circuit at the end of the opposite the key 57 whereby the circuit closer is held in good electrical contact with the contacts 30 and 45 when the circuit is closed and in close contactwith the porcelain end wall of the cylindrical portion of the cavity when the circuit is opened. The spring 55 and ribs 59 59 limit the movement of the cam 56 along the spindle 25 and away from the circuit closer and disk. \Vhenvthe key is turned to open the circuit, the circuit closer springs into immediate contact with the porcelain end all of the cavity when it leaves the switch contacts. The construction and resiliency of the circuit closer makes this possible and by such an arrange ment it is possible to break very heavy currents successfully as the porcelain has the effect of chilling the are formed so that it does not hold. It appears that onaccount of the porcelain on one side and air space on the other, the arc is forced to travel a longer distance than in the case where the circuit closer is entirely surrounded by an air space. The construction has a decided advantage and is an important improvement over the switches so far devised.

From the foregoing it is believed that the operation of the switch will be understood. It is not intended that the construction shall be limited to the exact details as shown and described as numerous minor modifica tions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In an electric switch, the combination of a porcelain body having a cavity therein, switch contacts mounted on a wall of said cavity, a rotatable spindle supported by said body between said contacts and having one or more projections thereon, aswitch member mounted on and movable lengthwise of the spindle, a cam for operatin said switch member and having an opening therein to receive the projection or projections on the spindle but permitting said cam to slide freely along said spindle toward said wall and the contacts thereon, and a spring pressing said cam and switch member toward said contacts and the wall on which they are mounted and causing the switch to engage the porcelain wall-of said cavity immediately after said switch member is moved out of engagement w th said switch contacts, the immediate engagcment of said porcelain wall by said switch member serving to-chill and extinguish the are formed when the circuit is broken.

2. In an electric switch, the combination of a porcelain body having a cavity therein, switch contacts mounted on a wall of said cavity, a rotatable spindle supported by said body between said contacts and having one or more projections thereon, an insulating disk mounted on and movable lengthwise of the spindle, a switch member mounted on the side of said insulating disk facing said contacts, a cam having means adapted to engage said disk to turn it on the spindle, said cam being mounted onthe spindle and having an opening therein to receive the spindle and one or more projections thereon but being adapted to slide freely along the spindle without being limited by projections on the spindle, and a spring mounted on the spindle for snapping said cam and also pressing the cam, insulating disk and switch member toward said contacts and the wall on which the latter are mounted, said spring causing the switch to engage the porcelain wall of the cavity immediately after the switch member is moved out of engagement with said switch contacts, the immediate engagement of said porcelain wall by said switch member serving to chill and extinguish the are formed. when the circuit is broken.

3. In an electric switch, the combination of a supporting body of porcelain or similar material having a cavity therein, switch contacts on a wall of said cavity, a rotatable spindle mounted on said body, a switch member mounted on said spindle in said cavity, a cam on said spindleengaging said switch member, a spring element engaging said cam and pressing it and said switch memberalong the spindle, and means whereby said cam and the switch member have a free and unlimited movement along said spindle in the direction in which they are pressed by said spring and in the direction of said switch contacts whereby said switch is positively pressed against said switchmediately pressed against the porcelain wall of said cavity when the. circuit is opened. said porcelain wall serving to chill and extinguish the are formed when the circuit be tween said contactsis broken and when said switch is forced into engagement with said wall.

r. In an electric switch for lamp sockets, the combination of a porcelain body having an elongated cavity therein provided-with a narrow portion intermediate its ends, switch contacts mounted on an end wall of said cavity, a rotatable spindle mounted on said body and extending longitudinally across the cavity and between said contacts, said spindle having projections thereon spaced apart lengthwise of the spindle. an insulating disk mounted on said spindle and free to move both rotarily and lengthwise of the spindle, a switch member mounted on the side of said disk facing said contacts and insulated from said spindle, a cam mounted onsaid spindle on the other side of said disk and having projections adapted to engage and turn the disk and switch member, said cam also having an opening to receive the spindle and one or more projections on the spindle by means of which the cam is turned,

- said opening in the cam permitting the cam to, move unlimited by projections on the spindle toward the contacts on the end wall of the cavity,'and a U-shaped spring mounted on the spindle and having its movement in one direction limited by one or more projections on the spindle, the outer faces of the limbs of said spring engaging the walls of said cavity at the narrow portion thereof to hold the spindle in'place in the cavity, and the ends 'of said limbs engaging said cam and being adapted to snap the cam and .switch member when the spindle is turned an elongated cavity therein, switch contacts mounted on an end wall of said cavity, a rotatable spindle mounted on said body and extending longitudinally across the cavity and between said contacts, said spindle havmg one or more projections thereon, an insulating disk mounted on said spindle and free to move both rotarily and lengthwise of the spindle, a switch member mounted on the side of said disk facing said contacts and insulated from said spindle, 'a cam mounted on said spindle on the other side of said disk and adapted to turn the disk and switch member, said cam also having an opening to receive the spindle and one or more projections on the spindle by means of which the cam is actuated when-the spindle is turned, said opening in the cam permitting the cam to move unlimited by projections on the spindle toward the contacts on the end wall of the cavity, and a substantially U-shaped spring mounted on the spindle, arts of the outer faces of the limbs of sai spring engaging the walls of said cavity and the ends of said limbs engaging said cam and being adapted to snap the cam when the spindle is turned and also pressing sa'd cam, insulating disk and switch member toward said contacts and.

the Wall on which they are mounted and causing the switch to engage the porcelain -wall of the cavity immediately after said switch member is moved out of engagement with said switch contacts, the immediate engagement of said porcelain wall by said switch member serving to chill and extinguish the arc formed when the circuit is broken.

6. In an electric switch, the combination of a supporting body comprising top and bottom blocks of insulating material secured together and having recesses which form a cavity for switch mechanism, the recess in the, bottom block having notches at opposite ends thereof and a narrow part between said notches, a spindle supported at its ends in said notches in the bottom block and extending across said cavity, switch contacts in said cavity, a switch member mounted on said spindle in said cavity and adapted to engage said switch contacts, and means capable of snapping said switch member as the spindle is turned, said means comprising a cam on said spindle, rotatable thereby, and having tapering portions, and a U shaped spring plate on the spindle, the inner faces of the ends of the limbs of said sprin plate fitting against tapering portions 0 said cam, said limbs being bent and tending to spring apart and having frictional engagement with the opposite 90 'walls of the recess in the bottom block ats the narrow part thereof whereby said spin dle and the parts thereon are held in place in said bottom block and said spindle and parts will not be released when the top block is moved from the bottom block.

7. In an. electric switch, the combination of a spindle, an insulating disk rotatably mounted on the spindle and having recesses therein, a switch member mounted on one side of said insulating member and having an openin therein through which the spindle eXten s and larger than the size of the spindle whereby said switch member is insulated from the spindle by said disk, a cam located on the other side of said disk, rotatable by said spindle and having parts engaging in said recesses whereby the disk is rotated by said cam, and a spr ng on said spindle capable of holding said cam in engagement with said disk and adapted to snap said cam and disk when the cam is rotated by said spindle. v

8. Inan electric switch, the combination of a spindle, an insulating disk rotatably mounted on said s indle, saiddisk having a central opening t rough which said s indle extends and whereby it is mounte on the spindle, said disk also having recesses on opposite sides of said central 0 ening and notches at the peripheral edge tiiereof,

a switch member fitting fiat against-one side of said disk and comprising a central part having an openin through which said spindle extends and arger than said spindle :25 whereby said switch member is insulated from the spindle, and outwardly extendin parts having 'projections-which fit in sai notches't'o secure said switch member to said insulating disk, a cam located on the other 13,;

side of said disk, said cam being rotatable by said spindle and having parts engaging in said recesses whereby the disk is rotated by said cam, a spring on said spindle capable of holding said cam in engagement In testimony whereof We afiix our signatures 1n presence of two witnesses.

HARRY if MOREY. FAY A. BROGDEN.

with said disk and adapted to snap sald cam Witnesses: when it is rotated by, said spindle, and N.-A. HURD, means for rotating said spindle. W. B. HUDSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. '0. 

